COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Modeling formation of dwarf galaxies from the Cosmic Renaissance to the Present

AST-0507666 Kravtsov最暗的矮星系和本星系群区域提供了一个独特而非常有用的窗口，可以了解宇宙中最小星系的形成过程。 该项目将对在高红移下形成的单个矮星系进行非常高分辨率的N体和气体动力学自适应网格细化模拟，其动态范围比以前的研究高出一个数量级以上，并包括对星系形成至关重要的前所未有的丰富物理过程。 这些模拟将解决宇宙学的紫外线辐射的影响，在再电离的时代，本群矮星的星星形成的历史，潮汐相互作用对矮星系中的星星形成率的影响，暗物质密度分布预测的矮星的核心的形状，以及观察到的属性相关性背后的物理。 关于再电离、星系特性背后的物理学以及流行的冷暗物质模型的真实性的问题，将在未来几十年塑造河外天文学，但我们自己的宇宙后院包含着早期时代的化石记录：这项研究将有助于解释这些记录。这些研究项目将紧密结合到学术教学、公共教育和外联活动中。 描述矮星系迷人科学的可视化将通过网络、天文馆和其他公共宣传工作提供。 模拟结果将提供给科学界作为一个宝贵的资源，以帮助解释未来的观测。

AST-0507666KravtsovThe faintest dwarf galaxies and the Local Group region provide a unique and very useful window into the processes governing the formation of the smallest galaxies in the Universe. This project will carry out very high-resolution N-body and gas dynamic Adaptive Mesh Refinement simulations of individual dwarf galaxies forming at high redshifts, with a dynamic range more than an order of magnitude higher than in previous studies, and including an unprecedented wealth of physical processes critical to galaxy formation. These simulations will address the effects of cosmological ultra-violet radiation during the epoch of reionization, the star formation histories of Local Group dwarfs, the effects of tidal interactions on the star formation rate in dwarf galaxies, the shape of the dark matter density profile predicted for the cores of dwarfs, and the physics behind observed correlations of properties. Questions about reionization, about the physics behind galaxy properties, and about the truth of popular cold dark matter models, will be shaping extragalactic astronomy for decades to come, but our own cosmic backyard contains a record in fossils from the early era: this research will help to interpret that record.These research projects will be tightly integrated into academic teaching and public education and outreach activities. Visualizations describing the fascinating science of dwarf galaxies will be available through the web, planetariums, and other public outreach efforts. Simulation results will be available to the scientific community as a valuable resource to help interpret future observations.